Governance & City Costs: Prime Minister Matthew Wale urged the Honiara City Council to set a clear, ambitious 10-year vision for a “livable” Honiara, warning that high costs and congestion are holding back growth and calling for stronger basic services and measures like a possible multi-storey car park at the Central Market. Public Finance & Education: A national debate is growing over what “free education” should cover in Solomon Islands, with the key question shifting to which costs government will actually fund and how implementation will work. Police & Rule of Law: Newly appointed police chief Ian Vaevaso was suspended after less than two months over allegations tied to mishandling meth evidence, with an independent tribunal set to examine the matter. Maritime Security & Trade Enforcement: RSIPF, Customs and Immigration intercepted the Belize-flagged MV WEALTH in Renbel Province, suspecting links to transnational organised crime including drug and tobacco smuggling. Resource Sector Accountability: Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare welcomed investigations into 33 bauxite shipments from West Rennell but insisted High Court proceedings must remain the main route for recovering unpaid royalties. Infrastructure & Shipping: Solomon Ports commissioned the new Kulabule Jetty at Honiara’s Domestic Terminal, a SBD 28 million project aimed at easing congestion and improving domestic passenger and cargo services. Telecom Costs: Wale told Our Telekom to lower service charges, saying telecommunications costs must come down as the cost of living rises. Central Banking Modernisation: CBSI began procurement for an eight-storey headquarters in Honiara designed to meet Australian and New Zealand standards, while CBSI also reaffirmed the importance of central bank independence and future-facing reforms. Regional Trade & Investment: Pacific Trade Invest China’s Mona Mato said China’s shift toward higher-end demand is opening opportunities for Pacific exporters to grow in value-added products. Regional Spotlight: Vanuatu’s Dr Anna Naupa was appointed the first woman to lead the MSG Secretariat, a historic milestone for the bloc.